Objectives: We sought to compare the laryngeal symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD) with those of multiple system atrophy (MSA), a Parkinson-plus syndrome; to review the differences in surgical management of upper airway dysfunction between patients with PD and those with MSA; and to present a treatment algorithm for management of upper airway disorders in patients with PD and MSA.

Methods: We analyzed the airway manifestations of each disease, including clinical and physiological test results and management outcomes, in a case series of 30 patients (24 with PD and 6 with MSA).

Results: Vocal fold atrophy causing bowing with a midfold glottic gap was common in patients with PD. Read More

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) has a high incidence in Mexico and is estimated at approximately 500,000 patients. One of the main clinical manifestations of PD is dysphagia, which is the difficult passage of food from the mouth to the stomach. The aim of this study was to assess oropharyngeal dysphagia through fibroendoscopy evaluation of swallowing in patients with PD. Read More

Authors:

Division of Neurology and Epidemiology, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.

Background: Silent laryngeal penetration and silent aspiration (SLP/SA) are common manifestations in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients and are frequently associated with dysphagia. However, little is known about saliva aspiration in this population.

Objective: We investigated the frequency and characteristics of saliva SLP/SA in PD patients with daily drooling (Group A) and in individuals without PD or daily drooling (Group B). Read More

Authors:

Patients with Parkinson's disease commonly complain of voice dysfunction. Most of these complaints can be attributed to the known muscular control disorders that occur with Parkinson's disease. However, the manifestations of Parkinson's disease muscular dysfunction on parameters of phonation such as airflow, laryngeal resistance, and subglottal pressure necessary to sustain phonation have not been reported. Read More

Authors:

Background: Impairments of articulation, respiration, and phonation are a common symptom of Parkinson's disease and may result in reduced communication. Previous observations have shown a high incidence of laryngeal abnormalities. However, no relevant data were available for gender differences of laryngeal abnormalities in Parkinson's disease. Read More